Modernizing the American high school means redefining what success looks like and how we help young people get there.
Reimagining high school for the modern era
American high school education is at a crossroads. While the world accelerates toward an AI-driven economy that demands creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability, our high schools remain trapped in an outdated architecture designed for a different era.
Through extensive collaboration with students, families, educators, employers, and community based leaders nationally, Carnegie has identified eight interconnected R&D priorities, to help catalyze and sustain high school transformation. These priorities are undergirded by two important cross cutting priorities: the implementation of robust, well-aligned public policy and the development of coherent educational infrastructure – the physical, digital, and social structures necessary to deliver impact at scale.
The Carnegie Foundation commits to accelerating learning and discovery across these priorities through partnerships with practitioners and policy makers nationwide. We will synthesize emergent findings, collaborate with research partners, and generate evidence to drive transformation at national scale.
A National Call to Action
Carnegie’s national Research and Development Agenda (R&D Agenda) is aimed at supporting the transformation of the American high school from time-based to competency-based models, to better prepare students for civil society and the modern economy.
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Our R&D Agenda work is also strengthened by partnerships with leading organizations, research institutions, and methodologists who have contributed to the agenda.
High school transformation must reflect the needs and experiences of the people it serves. Our R&D Agenda is informed by extensive engagement with students, families, educators and workforce leaders.
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Find ways to impact change in education. Join us as we work together to create a world where every student’s potential is realized.
